Kitchen renovations are the largest single interior renovation most Ontario homeowners undertake. Cost ranges from $15,000 (cosmetic) to $150,000+ (custom with structural work).
Permits required when:
- Adding or relocating electrical circuits (common — range, fridge, dishwasher, microwave all need dedicated circuits)
- Moving plumbing drain/supply lines
- Removing load-bearing walls
- Creating a new kitchen location (secondary suite)
Budget allocation framework (for a $60,000 kitchen):
- Cabinets: 35-40% (~$21,000-$24,000)
- Countertops: 10-15% (~$6,000-$9,000)
- Appliances: 15-20% (~$9,000-$12,000)
- Labour: 25-30% (~$15,000-$18,000)
- Flooring/tile: 5-10%
- Fixtures/lighting/hardware: 5-10%
Countertop pricing (GTA 2026):
- Quartz: $70-$130/sq ft (most popular — no sealing required)
- Granite: $80-$150/sq ft
- Marble: $100-$200/sq ft
- Butcher block: $40-$80/sq ft
- Laminate: $20-$40/sq ft (underrated in quality product lines)
Load-bearing wall removal: Budget $8,000-$20,000 including engineering, beam, framing and drywall — required for open-concept conversions.
What kitchen reno did you do in the GTA and what did it cost? Happy to share referrals here.
Kitchen renovation help at home.renovation.reviews